Power generating plant and floating plant for rivers and canals

Abstract

A power generating and floating plant ( 100 ) over a natural river, a man-made canal or similar for the generation of electricity that comprises: a floating platform ( 102 ) of the Catamaran type with pontoons ( 112 ) that speed up the flow rate ( 300 ) entering into a turbine; a metal grill ( 113 ) between said pontoons ( 112 ) before the turbine; at least one turbine with a central shaft ( 103 ), wherein said turbine comprises a water wheel ( 101 ) with curved vanes ( 410 ) and at least two supporting disks ( 400 ), where said curved vanes ( 410 ) rest, and where said supporting disks ( 400 ) comprise a plurality of radial and concentric holes ( 402 ); and a low-engine speed, permanent magnet generator ( 105 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A power generating and floating plant over a flow of fluid for the generation of electricity comprising:
 a floating platform of the catamaran type with pontoons that accelerate the flow rate entering into a turbine; 
 a grill having a plurality of apertures and disposed upstream from and between said pontoons before the turbine; 
 wherein the turbine includes a central shaft, said turbine comprises a water wheel with curved vanes and at least two supporting disks, to which said curved vanes attach, and wherein said supporting disks include a plurality of holes arranged along a radius of the disk and concentrically; and 
 a permanent magnet generator, 
 wherein said platform is fastened to a stabilizing bar fixed to regulating cylinders in at least one side of the river or canal. 
 
     
     
       2. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said regulating cylinders are inserted in reinforced concrete structures. 
     
     
       3. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 2 , wherein said stabilizing bar is fixed to said regulating cylinders through fastening means at the ends of said stabilizing bar, where said fastening means can be displaced over said regulating cylinders between two stops. 
     
     
       4. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 3 , wherein said regulating cylinders are of the hydraulic type. 
     
     
       5. A power generating and floating plant according to  claim 4 , comprising at least one hydraulic piston inside said regulating cylinders, wherein said hydraulic piston is connected to said fastening means through a slot in said regulating cylinders, and it is connected to a controlling hydraulic system comprising an electronic probe that records the level of water of the river or canal. 
     
     
       6. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said water wheel is made up by a central cylindrical body, around which a plurality of supporting disks is fixed arranged at least at the end of said cylindrical body at equal distance each other; locking rings located around said supporting disks for their corresponding fastening to said central cylindrical body; and curved vanes fixed by vane support to said supporting disks. 
     
     
       7. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 6 , wherein said supporting disk comprises a central hole through which said central shaft is coupled; a plurality of supporting arms for vanes eccentrically projecting, curved and radially at the same distance from each other; a plurality of radial and concentric holes allowing the circulation of water among the different compartments of the water wheel. 
     
     
       8. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 7 , wherein said supporting disk comprises six supporting arms for vanes. 
     
     
       9. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 7 , wherein said supporting disk comprises twelve supporting arms for vanes. 
     
     
       10. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said, permanent magnet generator includes a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is directly coupled to said central shaft. 
     
     
       11. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said central shaft lies on bearings with self-lubricated bearings or bushings. 
     
     
       12. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said plant additionally comprises an automatic controlling system installed in a control cabinet with power cables arranged inside ducts connecting to a main duct, where said main duct is connected to an outlet duct so that said power cables can be connected to a busbar, a distribution pole or consumption center. 
     
     
       13. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said floating platform comprises a ramp for an easier maintenance of the system. 
     
     
       14. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said platform is formed using steel or aluminum. 
     
     
       15. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said platform comprises a protecting or blocking means consisting in a sheet that slides vertically around the metal gate. 
     
     
       16. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 15 , wherein said sheet is made of aluminum or steel. 
     
     
       17. The power generating and floating plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting disk comprises:
 a central hole through which said central shaft is coupled; 
 a plurality of supporting arms for vanes eccentrically projecting curvedly and radially away from the central hole.